Telegraph system



H. PFANNENSTIEHL.

TELEGRAPH SYSTEM,

APPLICATION FILEDJUL'Y 24. 1911.

Patented Got. 14, 1919:

pin erm ne NT nine,

HARRY PFANNENSTIEHL, OF EAST ORANGE, NEW JERSEY, ASSIGNOR TO WESTERN ELECTRIC COMPANY, INCORPORATED, 015 NEW YORK, N. Y., A CORPORATION OF NEW YORK.

TELEGRAPH SYSTEM.

Specification of Letters Patent.

Patented Oct. 1 1, 1919.

T 0 all whom it may concern:

Be it known that I, HARRY PFANNEN- STIEHL, a citizen of the United States, residing at East Orange, in the county of Essex and State of New Jersey, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Telegraph Systems, of which the following is a full, clear, concise, and exact description.

This invention relates to telegraph systems, and more particularly to a distributing arrangement or system for telegraph transmitting and receiving equipments.

The object of this invention is the provision of a simple distributing arrangement for use at a branch station and adapted to simultaneously control the receipt of mes-.

sages from and the transmission of messages to a main station.

The present invention is particularly adapted for use in connection with a continuously operating master distributer at a main station and provides a train of relays which operates sequentially in step with impulses coming over .a line from the mainstation. These relays control two sets of switching contacts, one set being arranged selectively to control suitable printing mech anism at the branch station, While the other set controls the transmission back to the main station, preferably by another line conductor, of selective impulses correspond ing to the messages outgoingat the branch station.

While the distributing arrangement of this invention has been described as operating under the control of impulses sent out from a main distributor, it will be obvious to those skilled in the art that the system may easily be converted into a self-contained arrangement wherein either the received impulses or the locally generated impulses serve to carry the selecting re lays through their cycle of operations. Such an arrangement is shown in Patent No. 1,196,528 to A. F. Dixon and need not be further described here.

This invention is illustrated diagrammatically in the accompanying drawing, wherein only such portions of av transmitting and receiving equipment are shown as will be necessary to a ready'and clear understanding of the features of this invention.

In describing this invention, attention will first be directed to the mechanical and electrical characteristics of multi-action switching or distributing relay units designated as 20,10, 60, 80 and 100 in the drawing. Since these relays are identical in construction and operation it will be convenient to confine attention to, say, the first relay 20. The re lay unit comprises two coils 21 and 27 and two armatures 22 and 28. The armature 22 is controlled individually by the coil 21, while the armature 28, normally retained by a retractile spring 29 in the position shown, is under control of both coil 21 and 27; that is, when current action is present in the coil 27 the armature 28 is thereby held against action of current in the coil 21, but on cessation of current in coil 27, the coil 21, under current, moves the armature 28 against action of the retractile spring 29 to separate its cont-acts 32, 31 and 36 and to close its contacts 33, 35 and 37. To avoid complexity in the drawings the contacts 3% and 35 of the relay 20 are shown immediately above the relay, while the contacts 36 and 37 are shown at a still higher point thereabove.

Referring to the five two-position transmitter contact devices indicated respectively as 130, 132, 134,136, 138, this system preferably provides that these contacts be automatically worked by means of a punched tape, as well understood in the art. Oppositely poled and grounded sources of current 2 and 4 are arranged to supply positive current over a bus conductor 10 to the lowermost contact stop of each device, while negative current is supplied over a bus conductor 11 t0 the uppermost contact stops as shown. It will be understood that a suitable transmitter control tape may eflect predetermined switch combinations of these contacts and retain such switching combinations stored until they are automatically released by the distributer relays 20, 4:0, and 80, thereby permitting such contact settings to become effective in the form of outgoing impulses to a line conductor 3.

Int-he operation of this system an independent telegraph message may be sent out over the line conductor 3, simultaneously with the arrival of an incoming message over a line 1. An incoming message is adapted to control selecting magnet-s 59, 79, 99 and 109, to efl ect all necessary action required to record such message in a printed form. The present illustration of the system is for convenience arranged for working on the five-unit code combinations of telegraphic impulses.

In more specifically describing the features of this invention, let it be assumed that an incoming impulse of positively poled current, the first impulse of a five-unit code cycle, is present in the main line circuit 1. This current completes circuit through two parallel paths formed by winding 6 of a polarized relay 5 and winding 16 of a second polarized relay 15 to earth connections: th polarizing effect for these line relays being established respectively by current action from associated current sources through their respective windings 7 and 17; relay 5, being polarized to, respond to positive currents only; while relay 15 is polarized to respond to negative currents only. Accordingly, the present current impulse from the line conductor 1 being positive, relay 15 remains inert, while the relay 5 is operated to close its contacts 8 and 9, thereby completing three circuits. The first of these circuits may be traced from the current source 2, contacts 8 of the relay 5, contacts 34 of the relay 20, conductor 38, the winding of a selecting magnet 39, to an earth connection. The resulting operation of the magnet 39 initiates action to effect the selecting of certain electroresponsive means applied in printing operations, as understood in the telegraph art. The second circuit may be traced from the current source at relay 20, the coil- 27 of this relay, relay bus conductor 13, contacts 9 of the relay 5, to an earth connection. The third circuit may be traced from a current source at relay 110, the contacts 111 of this relay, a r5lay bus conductor 14, coil 21 of the relay 20, contacts 24 and 32 of this relay, bus conductor 13 and the contacts 9 of the relay 5, to an earth connection. The coil 21 attracts its armature 22 to first establish its contact 23 and thereafter separate its contacts 24, thereby locking the coil 21 to earth independently of the contacts 9 of the relay 5, now disconnected at the contacts 24 of the relay 20. Although the coil 21 further acts at this time to exert attractive force on the armature 28 of the relay 20, the current action already traced through the coil 27 of thi relay counteracts this attraction sufliciently to retain the armature 28 in its normal position in which it is shown.

Let it be further assumed that in phase with the first impulse of incoming current now assumed to be present in the line circuit 1, a previously selected transmitter setting has automatically prepared a combination to hold the contact 130 against its upper contact stop, contact 132 on its lower stop, contact 134 on its upper top, contact 136 on its lower stop, and contact 138 against its upper stop. Accordingly, current of nega tive polarity from the current bus 11 will traverse the contact 130, conductor 131, contact 36 of the relay 20 to the line conductor 3.

On cessation of the current impulse in the line conductor 1, the relay 5 is deenergized and the separation of its contacts 8 disconnects the selecting relay 39, while the separation of its contacts 9 opens the circuit of the coil 27 of the relay 20. Deenergization of the coil 27 releases the armature 28, which thereupon responds to the coil 21, thereby separating all of the contacts 32, 34 and 36 and closing all of contacts 33, 35. and 37 of this relay. The result of this action of the armature 28 will be apparent on tracing other impulses of current from the line conductor 1. It will be obvious that after the armature 28 has been attracted by the magnet 21, as described, the greater gap space then present between the armature and the coil 27 renders the latter coilv ineffective during subsequent energizations, due to the grounding of the bus conductor 13 by contacts of either of the line relays 5 and 15,

to restore the armature 28 until the coil 21 has been deenergized as will presently appear. The next impulse of current from the line will be, say, negative, and it will also traverse the parallel paths formed the windings (3 and 16 of the respective line relays 5 and 15 to earth, as already traced for the first impulse. This negative impulse operatesthe relay 15, while the relay 5 remains inert. The contacts 18 of the relay 15 establish a circuit which may be traced from the current source at relay 40, coil 47, of this relay, bus conductor 13 and the contacts 18 of the relay 15 to an earth connection. A second circuit may also be traced from the bus conductor 14, coil 4'1 of the relay 40, contacts 44 and 52 of this relay,

contacts 33 of relay 20 (retained operated through the locked coil 21 as already described), and contacts 18 of relay 15 to earth. Coil 41 of the relay 40 attracts its armature 42, thereby separating its contacts 44 and closing its contacts 43 to lock the coil 41 energized. As no further selective action takes place for impulses of negative Polarity, the selecting magnet 59 corresponding in impulse time relation to the relay 40 does not receive current and accordingly remainsinert. v

During the tlme the second or negative 1mpulse is present in the llne 1, positive-current from the bus conductor 10 traverses- ,and separation of its contacts 18 disconnects the coil 47 of the relay 40.' The latter action permits the coil 41 of this relay 40 to attract the armature 48, thereby separating contacts 52, 54 and 56 and establishing contacts 53, 55, 57 of this relay. A third impulse if of positive current, in the line 1 again operates the relay 5 to establish a circuit from the current source 2, contact 8 of relay 5, contacts 35 of relay 20, contacts 55 of relay 40, contacts 74 of relay 60, conductor 78, the winding of a selecting magnet 79 to earth. Coil 61 of relay operates to separate its, contacts 64 and to close its contacts 63, thereby completing a self-locking circuit to earth, and coil 67 now energized retains the armature 68, all in a manner similar to that already described for the relays 20 and 40. Coincident with the third impulse of current in the line 1, current from the bus conductor 11 passes from the associated upper stop to the transmitter contact 134, conductor 135, contacts 76, 57 and 37 of respective relays 60, 40 and 20 to the line conductor 3.

On cessation of the third impulse in the 'line 1, the relay 5 is released, the selecting relay 79 being thereby disconnected at the contacts 8 while the coil 67 0f the relay is disconnected at the contacts 9 of this line relay. Deenergization of the coil 67 of the relay 60 permits the energy present in the locked coil 61 to attract the armature 68, which thereupon separates its contacts 72, 74 and 76 and closes its contacts 73,75 and 77. Assuming that the fourth impulse from the line conductor 1 is also of positive polarity, the relay 5 will again respond, to complete a circuit from the current source 2, contacts 8 of the line relay, contacts 35, 55, 75 and 94 of respective relays 20, 40, 60 and 80, conductor 98 and windingof a selecting magnet 99 to earth. The contacts 9 of the relay 5 complete circuit to energize the coils 81 and 87 of the relay 80. During the period of the fourth impulse in the line 1, current from the positive bus conductor 10 traverses the transmitter contact 136, conductor 137,

contacts 96, 77, 57 and 37 of respective relays 80, 60, 40 and 20 to the line conductor 3.

On cessation of the fourth impulse in line 1, the armature 88 of this relay will respond to the coil 81 andseparate its contacts 92, 94 and 96 and close its contacts 93, 95 and 97 On receiving a final impulse, say, of positive current from the line 1, the line relay 5 is again operated to complete a circuit from the current source 2, contacts 8 of this relay, thence over the serially connected contacts 35, 55, 7 5 and 95 of respective relays 20, 40,

60 and 80, to the. winding of a selecting magnet 109 to earth. The contacts 9 of the relay 5 complete respective circuits for the coils 101and 107 of the relay 100. In phase with the fifth impulse of current in the line circuit 1, negative current from the bus conductor 11 traverses the transmitter contact 138, conductor 139, contacts 97, 77, 57 and 37, of respective relays 80, 60, 40 and-20 to the line conductor 3.

The five impulses described comprise a complete five-unit code selecting cycle and accordingly on cessation of the fifth or last impulse, the line relay 5 disconnects the selecting relay 109 and also the coil 107 of the relay 100, whereupon the armature 108 of the latter relay is moved by the coil 101 to close the contacts 103. Relay 100 thereby establishes a two-path circuit, one path may be traced from a current source at a lockrelease relay 110, the winding of this relay, the contacts 116 of a relay 115, and the contacts 103 of the relay 100 to earth. The second circuit extends from a current source at the relay 120, the winding of this relay, winding of therelay 115, contacts 116 of the relay 115 and the contacts 103 of the relay 100 to earth. The resulting operation of the relay 110 disconnects the relay bus conductor 14 from the current source, thereby disabling the holding coils 21, 41, 61, 81 and 101 of respective relays 20, 40, 60, 80 and 100. The operation of the relay 115 and the separation of its contacts 116, disconnects the lock-release relay 110. The operation of the relay 120 completes circuit from the current source at this relay by way of its contacts 121, conductor 119 and a magnet coil 118 to earth. The coil 118 operates mechanism (not shown) to transfer or to release the set up of thetransmitter contacts 130, 132, 134, 136 and "138 comprising the five-unit impulse code first traced to the outgoing line conductor 3, and also to condition the contacts to again respond to the punched tape in setting up a next predetermined five-unit impulse combination.

Referring further to the relay 115, it will be noted that in addition to separation of its contacts 116 the operation of this relay also closes its contacts 117, thereby completing a self-locking circuit, Which further extends through a set of contacts 122.

The locking of this relay also retains the relays 110 and 120 energized to insure ample time for completion of a printing cycle, thereby started, following which, mechanism, not shown, separates the contacts 122 to denergize the relays 115, l20and 110'.

From the operations traced and described it will be apparent that incoming telegraphic signals control the sequential operation of the relays 20, 40, 60, 80 and 100, that the first four of these relays act as impulse distributers for both incoming and outgoing current impulses, while the last relay 100 initiates a cycle of operations to effect a transmitter shift, a printing cycle on the receiving equipment and to releaseor clear out previous settings of the sequence relays to permit the receiving and the transmitting of a next code of telegraphic impulses.

VVhat is claimed is:

1. In a telegraph system, impulse-receiving means, impulse-transmitting means, compound-acting relays sequentially controlled by said impulse receiving means, and means controlled by said relays to establish predetermined receiving and transmitting actions.

2. In a combined telegra h transmitting and receiving system, impu se-transmitting means, impulse-receiving means, and multiaction relays controlled by received impulses to sequentially control transmitting and receiving operations.

3. In a combined telegraph transmitting and receiving system, means for preparing and storing code impulse control combinations in advance of use, compound-acting relays, and impulse receiving means to control said relays to sequentially control the transmission of said stored impulses coincident with the receipt of incoming impulses.

4. In a printing telegraph system, a plurality of electroresponsive character-selecting devices, impulse receiving means, multiaction relays sequentially controlled by said receiving means to predeterminedly select said character-selecting devices, electroresponsive means for continuing a controlled condition of said relays, electroresponsive means for disabling said switching units, and means controlled by a printing cycle to "reestablish a normal condition of said relay disabling means.

5. A selecting system comprising a plurality of pairs of electromagnets arranged to be energized sequentially in invariable order, a line conductor, current control means responsive to impulses received over said line conductor to control the energization of said electromagnets, an armature individual to each pair of electromagnets and under the joint control thereof, means operable upon the receipt of a line impulse and the consequent energization of one pair of electromagnets to establish a holding circuit for one electromagnet of the pair, and switching means controlled by said armature and operating upon the deenergization of the other electromagnet of the pair to prepare an operating circuit for the next pair of electromagnets.

6. A, selecting system comprising a plurality of pairs of electromagnets arranged to be energized sequentially in invariable order, a line conductor, current control means responsive to impulses received over said line conductor to control the energization of said electromagnets, a first and a second armature individual to each pair of electromagnets, means operable upon the receipt of a line impulse and the consequent energization of one pair of electromagnets to maintain said first armature in its normal position, and to move said second armature to continue energization of one electromagnet of the corresponding pair, and switching means controlled by said first armature and operatedupon the cessation of a line impulse to prepare an operating circuit for the next pair of electromagnets. 7. A selecting system comprising a plurality of pairs of electromagnets arranged to be energized sequentially in invariable order, a line conductor, current control means responsive to impulses received over said line conductor to control the energization of said electromagnets, a first' and a second armature individual to each pair of electromagnets, circuit control means operable by said first armature upon the receipt of a line impulse and the consequent energization of said current control means to prepare said electromagnets for the subsequent operation of said second armature, means controlled by said current control means and operated upon the cessation of a line impulse to per mit said prepared electr-omagnet to move said second armature to prepare an operating circuit for the next pair of electromagnets, and selecting magnets selectively operated through the joint action of said current control means and the means controlled by this current control means.

8. In a printing telegraph system, a first 100 line section and a line relay therefor, a sec ond line section and a transmitter therefor, a plurality of selecting magnets, a plurality of relays each having a plurality of armatures, means controlled by said line relay in the reception of a signaling impulse to cause one of said relays to attract one of its armatures, means responsive to cessation of said impulse to cause said relay to attract its second armature, and means controlled by said second armature to complete a first control circuit from said line relay to one of said selecting magnets and to complete a second control circuit fromsaid transmitter to said second line section.

9. In a printing telegraph system, a first line section and a line relay therefor, a second line section and a transmitter therefor, a plurality of compound-acting relays, a plurality of selecting magnets, means controlled by said line relay in response to an impulse in said first line section to establish a first operation of one of said compoundacting relays to prepare circuits for further operation of the same relay, means responsive on cessation of said impulse in said first line section to render said prepared circuits effective in further operating said compound-acting relay, and a plurality of cir-.

cuits established by said last mentioned operation of said compound-acting relay to respectively control the operation of a selecting magnet, the inclusion of said transmitter with said second line section and the placing of a next one of said compoundacting relays in condition for control bv said line relay.

10. In a printing telegraph system, a plurality of line sections, impulse receiving means and impulse transmitting means for said line sections respectively, a plurality of relays each having a plurality of armatures, a plurality of selecting devices means controlled by one armature of each relay in response toone position of said impulse receiving means to prepare circuits for the control of an associated second armature, means controlled by another position of said impulse receiving means to operate said second armature, and a plurality of contacts controlled by said second armature to respectively include said transmitter with its line section, include said impulse receiving means to control said selecting devices and to prepare circuits to render said receiving means effective to control a next one of said plurality of relays.

In Witness whereof, I hereunto subscribe my name this 20th day of July A. D. 1917.

HARRY PFANNENSTIEHL.

Copies of this patent may be obtained for five cents each, by addressing the Commissioner of Patents, Washington, D. G. 

